China-aided Nepal UNESCO site begins reconstruction

The nine-story Basantapur Tower, part of the historical Kathmandu Durbar Square in Kathmandu of Nepal, has begun its reconstruction with Chinese aid Tuesday.

The upper tiers of the landmark tower collapsed during an 8.1 magnitude earthquake that rattled Nepal in 2015. The tower, along with other structures on the Durbar Square, constitutes a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

According to a restoration project plan currently displayed at the Durbar Square, the tower complex and its auxiliary buildings that need to be restored cover an area of 1,300 square meters with a building area of 5,600 square meters. The project will take 58 months to be completed.

The restoration will be funded by China, according to Nepalese media reports.

The restoration plan will follow the principle of minimum intervention, focusing on the reinforcement of the remaining structure and protecting the original components as much as possible.

Also according to the plan, China will contribute in the restoration efforts with its extensive experience in restoring similar historical structures within and outside China, as well as various restoration projects in the wake of a major earthquake in Sichuan Province in 2008.

A commencement ceremony of the restoration project was held on the Durbar Square on Monday, coinciding with Chinese Vice Premier Wang Yang's ongoing visit to Nepal.